Natalie’s Comments (group member since Oct 24, 2015)

Natalie’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

5/29/2018
400 pages

Spells: A, B (author), C, D, F, G, H, K (author), L (title), M, R, Y
Alan, Brandon Cho, Declan Murphy, Frank, Mr. Gerardi, Mrs. Hillard, Rowan, Juliet Young

Care of Magical Creatures: words on skin (view spoiler)[ie:
(hide spoiler)]

I’m not a mod so I can’t invite you, but I posted in there. Double check your notifications to see if it’s there.

Finished!

(view spoiler)[This is one of my favorite books. It hit every note for things I love in books and where the series needed to go.

The relationship between Curran and Kate has built over the last three books and in this one they finally get together (with some bumps) and solidfy their relationship. I think dragging it out more would have hurt the series.

Erra is my favorite part of the book. I love a female villain, especially a smart female villain. I also love the trope of different types of mages working together so to speak. I also loved learning most of the history of Roland and seeing what Kate will be up against.

I love this series, but this book is my favorite. Well, there is one more. Just a few months left... (hide spoiler)]

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Date read: 5/26
# pages: 388
BR: My first post for Magic Bleeds
Spells: A (author), B, C, D, E, G, I (author), K, M (title), N, O, P, R, S, W
Barabas, Curran, Kate Daniels, Erra, Ghastek, Naeemah, Julie Olsen, Peter Kranz, Raphael, Saiman, John Weiss

Classes:
Arithmancy - 388 pages
Care of Magical Creatures: Lion on cover (fur, claws, fangs), Set in Atlanta

Through chapter 18

Series spoiler (view spoiler)[ I forgot that Kate asked him to give up the title of Beast Lord back in this book. I never thought that he would, but it definitely worked out for them that he did. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 6.

Naked dinner (view spoiler)[ The first time I read this part I was devastated. I had been looking forward to it since finishing book 3 and was so happy to have the book start with it. (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting this morning. Team Draco Malfoy.

Michelle, is Quidditch still supposed to start tomorrow? My info above is still correct, but I'd only like to play in one round. I'm flexible on which one that it and I can play in the first one, but it needs to be organized ASAP if it's starting tomorrow. I'm out most of the day and will check in when I can.

Curran POV Collection by Gordon Andrews

Date read: 5/24
# pages: 157
BR: NA
Spells: A (author), B, C, D, G (author), K, M, O
Barabas, Curran, Kate Daniels, Mahon, Julie Olsen

Classes:
Arithmancy - 157 pages
Care of Magical Creatures: Lion on cover (fur, claws, fangs), Set in Atlanta

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Date read: 5/24
# pages: 310
BR: My first post for Magic Strikes
Spells: A (author), B, C, D, Hugh, I (author), K, M (title), O, R, S
Curran, Kate Daniels, Hugh, Julie Olsen, Raphael, Saiman

Classes:
Arithmancy - 310 pages
Care of Magical Creatures: Lion on cover (fur, claws, fangs), Set in Atlanta

Finished!

Pie(view spoiler)[ But why leave the container??? (hide spoiler)]

I think I mentioned this in the thread for book 2, but this was the book that hooked me. I liked the first book, and was recommended to continue. I really liked the second book and was more into the series. I loved this book. This is where everything clicked and when I think the authors hit their stride in writing and bringing the story together.

Also, it's the one where they shifted to writing a more ongoing storyline, especially (view spoiler)[the confirmation of who Kate is and the introduction of Hugh. At this point I didn't know what he was going to do, but I will say he's one of my favorites to watch. He doesn't have a big role here. Although I wonder what would have happened if he had captured her at the end instead of Curran? (hide spoiler)]

One thought I had while reading was if this was a better starting point for the series for newbies. While they mention events of the prior two books, there's not much detail that that I feel you get would get a good feel for what's happened and what's going on. And the book I felt had a solid introduction to the world building and how the magic and technology shifts work.

I was thinking about Dresden Files, which I've started, but honestly haven't been able to get into. I had heard that the series starts slow, but the third book was designed as a soft reboot and new entry for the series. I personally didn't like it. There was a year gap between book 2 and 3, where apparently a lot happened, especially events that influenced what happened in book 3. Instead we got a ton of recap of what the events were, which I found frustrating.

So I was on a flight and got a lot lot of reading done. Through chapter 25.

Pie (view spoiler)[ Curran are the pie from her fridge right? Also who leaves an empty container in the fridge? (hide spoiler)]

Kate Past (view spoiler)[ If you’re a new reader to the series, did you guess who she is. There are a lot of clues in the first two books. I think in the first book Bono mentions at the end about her true father and that was one thing that got me thinking until it was revealed. (hide spoiler)]

Dali(view spoiler)[ I love Dali. The blindish girl who loves driving and shifts into a vegetarian white tiger. Such a great visual. (hide spoiler)]

Julie(view spoiler)[ I love the plan and scene to pick up Julie. So funny and I love Kate with a useless gun and Raphael with his sword with runes that do nothing. (hide spoiler)]

Midnight Games(view spoiler)[ I do love the plot in this one with the fights that requires a set group of fighters. Also them debating a team name. Andrea getting upset about the term sling was also funny. As well as Curran’s sudden arrival and chewing out of the shifters (hide spoiler)]

Hugh - series (view spoiler)[ One of my favorite characters makes his debut! I’m so excited for his book next month. (hide spoiler)]

I’m starting today. Team Draco Malfoy

Team Draco Malfoy. I should be starting this in the next day or two. Are people still reading?

If you want more celtic mythology books, I enjoyed the The Witches of Eileanan series. No deities, but witches and sea creatures.

One of my favorite parts of their books is the use of mythology beyond your typical greek/roman. I usually find myself looking up creatures they use after I read since I wasn't familiar with them. I think the next book has my favorite instance of this.

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Date read: 5/22
# pages: 491
BR: NA
Spells: A, B, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, O, R (author), S (title), T, U, X
Annabeth Chase, Blitzen, Frederick, Gunilla, Hearthstone, Mallory Keen, Loki, Otis, Thomas Jefferson Jr., Utgard-Loki, X

Classes:
Arithmancy - 491 pages
Care of Magical Creatures: Wolf on cover (fur, claws, fangs), Lots of shiny things, Set in Boston,
DADA - Sword on cover. Can behead beings?
Divination: The Norns make a prophecy regarding the MC and the fate of the world
Potions; >50% blue

I'm going to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for the 800-900 pages. Since we don't need it anytime soon, I'll wait until other people are there for the BR.

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Date read: 5/20
# pages: 272
BR: My first post for Magic Burns
Spells: A (author), B, C, D, G, I (author), K, M, O, R, U, W
Bran, Curran, Kate Daniels, Ghastek, Myong Williams, Julie Olsen, Red, Ugad

Classes:
Arithmancy - 272 pages
Care of Magical Creatures: Lion on cover (fur, claws, fangs, yellow eyes), Set in Atlanta
Charms - Fire making charm - Title includes "burns"
DADA - Does burning kill any magical creatures? Vampires usually.